Metatarsal adjuster.



J. 'ARRI METATARSAL MPLIGATIQN FILED :213.14

A DJUSTER.

Paten@ 2. Maf. ifl, 19M.

LOQLQSL often deranged or the joints back to UNrrED s'rATEs PATENT 'FFICE JACOB HARRIS, OF MDNTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

METATARSAL .ADJUSTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JACOB HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the town of Montclair, county of Essex, and State ot' New Jersey, have invented new and. useful Improvements in Metatarsal Adjusters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention-consists of a device for the support or adjustment of the metatarsal bones of -the foot, whereby their derangement or dislocation may be corrected, and consists of the features of construction hereinafter shown and described.

As the result of wearing ill-fitting shoes, and of other causes, the metatarsal bones are their heads dislocated, `hereby compressing the interosseous liga# ments or nerves producing discomfort and severe pain at the point of dislocation or derangement. the pain extending forward to the ends of the middle toes and often reverting into the arch of the foot. My improved device being placed under the heads ot the metatarsal bones, and extending under theirl articulations with-the phalanges,

their natural osition, thereby removing the compression rom the aiiected ligaments or nerves. The pad is made of various sizes'and thicknesses for accommodation to the size ofthe foot.

In the accompanying drawings forming part ofthis specification, Figure 1 is a side view of the left'foot shown in a shoe,'the shoe being broken away to show the position of the adjuster and support; Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively perspective views of two forms of the adjuster and support, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of slightly different form.

The adjuster comprises an oval shaped pad2, which is padded to give it proper thickness and shade, the rear end of which is secured to the band, which is intended to surround the shafts bones, as sho'wn in' Fi 1, permitting unrestricted movement o the metatarso-pha-l langeal joints, while the forwardly pro ecting pad supports these joints. The sty e of band 3 shown in Fig. 2, preferabl of leather, is laced at the top and intended lifts of the metatarsal a button shoe, the eyelet stays 4 meeting on the dorsal ridge; while with a laced shoe the form shown 1n Fig. 4 is used to avoid pres- I sure upon the eyelet stays by the eyelets and lacing of the shoe.- The band in Fig.,3 is

can be readily slipped over the foot and elastically grip the instep juster in proper position.

The injury whichl my adjuster is designed specifically to relieve is caused chiefly by wearing shoes which are too narrow, particularly shoes within which the sole is nart'oot are raised above themiddle portions of the foot, `thereby causingr an injurious pressure to the nerve and igamen-ts along the upper surface of the middle of the foot. This pressure as stated above causes a severe ain which extends forward to the ends of the middle toes and frequently up the middle of the foot into the arch. In my adjuster the pad is positioned so vas to lie under the middle of the ball of the foot, but is not wide enough to extend to the edges of the sole, the effect being to give the upper surface of the foot at the ball a lateral convex curve thereby relievin the pressure and counteracting the effect o the tight shoe.` The pad is made and stuffed withhair or cotton, so as not to cause discomfort 'of kid, or other so t leather,

to the injured joints.I

Having thus described 4my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentis: y In a device of the class described, a soft narrow pad 'of a width not greater than half the widthof the foot, a band for holding said pad beneath the metatarso-phalangea joints of the middle toes, said band being attached to the rear end of said pad to 11e to l shown as a continuous elastic band which thus holding the'adi rower than the foot so that the sides of the the rear of said jointsso as not to interfere with the free movement of the foot.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set iny hand at Montclair aforesaid, this 12 dayof February, 1913.

- JACOB HARRIS.

Witnesses: j I

JOHN A. HINEs,

or use with I H. M. KIENDL. 

